January 16, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Gertrude H. Backhaus (nee Raether), passed away on Tuesday January 14, 2020 at the age of 94. She was born on August 17, 1925 in the Town of Forrest to Jacob and Marie (nee Kutz) Raether. On June 2, 1945, Gertrude married Arthur L. Backhaus at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dundee, WI. After marriage, the couple lived in Hartford and finally settled in West Bend. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed dancing, cards and gardening.
Gertrude is survived by Doug Welch, son-in-law of the late Edith, and Cindy Backhaus, daughter-in-law of the late Howard, grandchildren; Michael (Margaret) Welch, Mark (Nicole) Welch, Joseph (Becky) Backhaus and Jessie Backhaus, great-grandchildren; Ethan and Hanna Welch, Cassidy and Kolten Backhaus, siblings; Fritz (the late Alice) Raether, Joyce (Delmar) Wendegatz, Donna (Miles) Wilson and sister-in-law Betty (the late Ralph) Raether, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arthur, and her brother Lester (Ruth) Raether.
Funeral Services for Gertrude will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 777 S. Indiana Ave. West Bend, with Rev. Richard Lauersdorf and Rev. John Paustian presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. Entombment will be at Ledgeview Memorial Park in Fond du Lac.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials to Good Shepherd Church are appreciated.
